News

Detroit – Defensively, it was business as usual for top-ranked Ypsilanti Arbor Prep.

The Gators forced 28 turnovers and wore down a young Detroit Edison team for a 55-41 victory on Thursday at Edison.

Neither team is affiliated with a league so every game, particularly at this time of year, is another step toward becoming the best team they can possibly be when the state tournament begins on Feb. 27.

Edison (12-3), ranked No. 4 in Class C, had difficulty breaking the Gators’ press. The Pioneers committed 15 turnovers in the first half and trailed 21-15.

Edison lost at Country Day, State Champs’ No. 2-ranked team in its Super 10, 67-55.

Edison starts three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior.

Arbor Prep coach Rod Wells said Edison would be a tough out in the Class C tournament and he knew this game would be a challenge for his team.

Despite its fine defensive play, Arbor Prep (17-0) didn’t handle Edison’s tall, athletic post players well, particularly in the first half. The Gators were just 6-for-30 (20 percent) from the field in the first 16 minutes.

“I didn’t think we shot the ball really well in the first half,” Wells said. “They’re long. They had trouble adjusting to the atmosphere. They’re used to blowing people out early. When we went to the basket they were getting a hand in there.

“Our composure was better in the second half. Our fundamentals were better and we attacked their zone better.

“We needed a dog fight and we got it.”

A key part of the game took place in the first couple of minutes of the fourth quarter. Cydney Williams made a 3-pointer and Anderson had a layup after a steal to increase Arbor Prep’s lead to 40-28. Edison never got closer than nine points after that.

Arbor Prep was 13-of-32 (41 percent) from the field in the second half and received a lift off the bench from junior Mahri Petrie. Petrie played a strong game and finished with nine points and six rebounds.

Wells’ daughter, Ro’zhane, had 13 points from the point guard position and Adrienne Anderson had 11 points and six rebounds.